NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Statement on Diarrhoea and Vomiting

December 14, 2007 11:20 AM

Seven wards at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow remain temporarily closed to new admissions.

A further eight patients and six more members of staff are experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting at the Southern General and the numbers affected at the RAH remain unchanged. None is giving any cause for concern as a result of the infection.

Four wards at Stobhill Hospital have also now temporarily suspended admissions as a result of 26 patients and 11 staff showing symptoms of the virus.

Three of these patients are said by clinical staff to be giving cause for concern. However this is believed to be primarily because of the serious underlying conditions that required them to be admitted to hospital.

Each of the hospitals are closely monitoring the situation and have implemented very thorough control measures to limit the spread of the infection.

It must be stressed however that all three hospitals continue to admit patients in other areas, including emergencies.

Indeed, all of Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s hospitals have achieved the December target of admitting 98 per cent of all patients within four hours of arrival at A&E over the last two weeks.

Tom Walsh, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Infection Control Manager, said: “We continue to monitor this fluctuating situation closely, and we are doing all that we can to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“But because this type of infection is common in the community, we also have to rely on visitors and others for help too. If you’re otherwise healthy but have experienced any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting yourself within the last forty-eight hours, please don’t visit anyone in hospital.

“We are also reminding visitors of the importance of hand hygiene when entering and leaving hospital premises.”